Farmers volunteer to trim back verges to help cash-strapped council

FARMERS across Caithness are once again stepping into the breach to help the cash-strapped local roads authority trim back overgrown roadside verges.

The kind-hearted farmers have already voluntarily carried out the work on miles of country roads, according to Wick and east Caithness councillor Willie Mackay, who says the voluntary service deserves recognition.

Mr Mackay, who travels throughout the county regularly as part of his work, said: “Last year farmers voluntarily trimmed many miles of rural and sometimes main roads, which helped enormously in the local authority’s grass-cutting operation.

“Now this year farmers have already been out with their mowers slashing down the tall grass in roads around their farms.

“I’m full of praise for them – they have been wonderful in giving a helping hand at this time of year when there is a surge of grass on the roadside verges.”

The latest areas where verges have been cut by volunteers across Caithness include West Greenland, Lower Greenland, Thurdistoft, Olrig, East Kirk and Sibster, on the outskirts of Wick.